Clutching Her Fishman's Roe: A Time for Monsters Romance

Diana, Boston, 1922 My former beau may think himself a cake-eater because he's the lead trombone player at Boston's Beans Speakeasy, but that rotten scoundrel has no right to deny our baby. He promised to change my life-and know your onions, he did. What was I thinking when I lay with him? This baby was supposed to secure a happy home for us, and my brother, Allen, who depends on me after he was kicked in the head by a horse. Luckily for me, Dr. Leopold Guett found me crying in the alley behind Beans. He offered me a position on his Kentucky estate with living arrangements to boot. The Big Cheese didn't bat an eye at Allen's slow speech or my being stuffed out of wedlock. I thought we'd be gutter rats when Aunt Edith discovered my pregnancy, but now we will be safer than ever...and I owe it all to Dr. Guett. Thomas Papa's eyes glow with renewed interest in his experiments. I thought the fury of Phin and Harriett's departure would burn the evil out of him, but he's brought two more humans to our house of horrors. Can I swim idly as he destroys the beautiful ray of sunshine he's ensnared? Papa will certainly force me into his experiments on this gentle lady with a voice like a songbird if I show a hint of interest...just like he did to Phin. However, my heart can't stand aside and allow his madness to destroy her. I won't rest until I carry her down the river to safety-far away from here-but will she accept the aid of a man who is half grouper? Or will she mistake me for the monster?